2005 Op-ed Archives
Lending A Helping Hand To The Tsunami Victims
January 6, 2005, by Bart Gordon -- Americans are once again proving how unselfish they are when it comes to helping the less fortunate overcome tragedy. They are giving to private charities and relief agencies at a phenomenal clip because of the December 26 tsunami and earthquake that devastated southern Asia. In the U.S. alone, relief agencies have received well over $150 million in private donations to help victims of the tsunamis.
New Gas Transmission Line Raises Lots Of Questions
January 24, 2005, by Bart Gordon -- I cannot support a vague plan to construct a natural gas pipeline through Sumner and Trousdale counties. The company proposing the pipeline has left residents in the dark about the exact route of the pipeline, why it is needed and how it would affect the environment.
Tennesseans Equipped With New Sales-Tax Deduction
February 11, 2005, by Bart Gordon -- Now that we have received W-2 forms from our employers, it's time to start thinking about filing our tax returns. Many have already started this task, others have not. Regardless of whether you are eager to start this chore, you should know that you have another deduction at your disposal.
Administration Proposes To Hike Tennessee Electricity Rates
April 19, 2005, by Bart Gordon -- I am disturbed by a White House proposal that plans to hike the rates charged for electricity generated at federally constructed dams here in Tennessee. I will fight any attempts by the federal government to artificially inflate electricity rates for Tennesseans, or any efforts in Congress to sell our public lakes and recreation areas.
Nation's Math And Science Teachers Inspire Young Minds
April 15, 2005, by Bart Gordon -- Our nation's security remains a top concern for most of us. But personal safety is just part of the equation. Security also means having the type of job that allows us to live comfortably and send our children to good schools where motivated teachers mold and shape inquisitive minds.
Senior Citizens Deserve Comfortable Quality Of Life In Golden Years
June 17, 2005, by Bart Gordon -- Retirement is supposed to be a time when people get to relax and do the things they didn’t have the time to do when they were working and raising a family. But today’s economic realities have senior citizens scrambling to make ends meet.
118th Airlift Wing Is Proven Commodity On The Battlefield
June 24, 2005, by Bart Gordon -- Reassigning the airplanes of the 118th Airlift Wing of the Air National Guard based at Nashville International Airport to other bases is a misguided attempt by the Department of Defense to save money. In the past five years alone, $55 million has been spent making infrastructure improvements at the Nashville airport to support the mission of the 118th Airlift Wing.
TVA’s Coal By Rail Plan Must Not Unduly Burden Gallatin Residents
June 28, 2005, by Bart Gordon -- The Tennessee Valley Authority’s recent proposal to ship coal by rail to its Gallatin power plant concerns me. TVA says it will save money by using rail to transport coal to the plant instead of river barges it currently uses, but the agency has not released specific documentation.
Protecting Against Identity Theft Is More Difficult In Cyberspace
July 15, 2005, by Bart Gordon -- Like many consumers, I was alarmed by the news reports of online thieves stealing millions of credit card account numbers. I was affected by the security breach, and I know firsthand the troubling feelings that come from not knowing who might have my personal information.
Tennessee Reaps Benefits Of Engaging Science Lessons
August 12, 2005, by Bart Gordon -- Teachers are one of Tennessee's greatest resources. Often, we take for granted the sizeable contribution teachers indirectly make to our state's economy - specifically in the form of ‘human capital.’
Lending a Hand In Hurricane’s Aftermath
September 6, 2005, by Bart Gordon -- In August 1969, I was in Jackson, Mississippi, with three friends at a college meeting when we learned of the destruction caused by Hurricane Camille. My friends – Doug Young, now a Murfreesboro City Councilman; Jim Caperton, now a Bedford County banker; and Sammy Sells, now a Shelbyville doctor – and I volunteered to help National Guard troops provide relief on the devastated Mississippi coast.
Sumner County Made Sure TVA Knew Its Concerns
September 7, 2005, by Bart Gordon -- The Tennessee Valley Authority’s decision not to ship coal by rail to its Gallatin power plant was met with great relief in Sumner County. For months, residents voiced their opposition to the flawed plan, citing legitimate traffic and safety concerns.
America’s Founding Fathers Did Not Intend To Get Rid Of Religion
September 16, 2005, by Bart Gordon -- Many Americans are outraged by a San Francisco judge’s ruling that the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional because it includes the words “under God.” I, too, am outraged. In 2002, a California atheist won his argument for striking “under God” from the Pledge. The case was appealed to the Supreme Court, but the court never ruled on the case. It was thrown out on a technicality.
Comments On Proposed Pipeline Sought From Local Residents
October 31, 2005, by Bart Gordon -- Recently, the Federal Energy Regulatory Council (FERC) issued an environmental assessment for the natural gas pipeline proposed by Midwestern Gas Transmission Co. Now, concerned residents have the opportunity to share their views on the report with FERC.
Giving Thanks To The Men and Women In Uniform
November 17, 2005, by Bart Gordon -- For many Tennessee families, this Thanksgiving takes on a special significance with the return of the Tennessee Army National Guard’s 278th Armored Calvary Regiment. Members of the 278th have fought valiantly in the Middle East, and I know I join with countless Tennesseans in welcoming them home.
Cleaning Up Meth In Our Communities
December 9, 2005, by Bart Gordon -- While visiting a Middle Tennessee high school about a year ago, I asked a group of students to tell me about the most troubling issue facing them. The response shocked me. These students weren’t concerned about getting a date to the prom or winning the upcoming football game; they were concerned about friends who were trying meth.
